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YOUNG GUN Hassan Khamis Al Berri aims to make the nation proud after being offered a dream shot in Bahrain's national football squad as the kingdom dreams of World Cup glory.
The 22-year-old from Al Malkiya has been plying his trade in Kuwait for Khaitan Sporting Club for the past two seasons and was an impressive performer in Bahrain's fledgling Olympic side.
His defensive prowess has enabled him to power his way into contention for a slot in the senior side facing Saudi Arabia in the forthcoming do-or-die home and away play-off contest.
Hassan said: "I started playing football at the age of 13. I have a large family made up of three brothers and four sisters and we were always out playing. My brothers noticed my passion for soccer and they motivated me to take it further.
"This is a thrilling moment for me to be a part of the national team. I hope to do well and make my kingdom and family proud."
Hassan has to pull out all the stops in a series of special training sessions which will allow coach Milan Macala to decide which 11 will be best able to take on the Saudi challenge.
His colleague Hassan Ahmed Khalfan, 42, Bahrain football team manager, said: "Hassan was picked to be a part of the team because he has a lot of skill and has been playing well for his Kuwaiti club.
"He also featured in our Olympic team in the GCC games in 2007 and 2008. He has the experience and that could prove beneficial for him during his training and for the team in general."
Hassan Khamis is one of the three new players Macala has called up for a training programme which will take place at the Bahrain Football Association grounds in Riffa on July 27.
The team includes seven players from league champions Muharraq, eight from Al Ahli, three from Riffa, two from Busaiteen and one each from Al Hala, Al Malkiya, Al Hidd, Bahrain Club, Manama and East Riffa.
The other two new faces are Al Ahli's Habib Nesaif and East Riffa midfielder Ahmed Abdulla.
The squad also features several overseas players who recently returned to their original clubs, including striker Ala'a Hubail of Al Ahli, Riffa's defender Hussain Baba and Ismail Abdullatif of Al Hala.
Khalfan said that the 26-man squad would be reduced to 24 for a further three week training camp in Austria shortly before the World Cup clash.
He added: "This is a great opportunity for Bahrain and the hope to qualify for the World Cup 2010 has been renewed once again.
"We hope that the fans that were exceptional during the last match against Uzbekistan will be with us again and will always stick by us especially for the upcoming games. We hope to make everyone proud.
"The overseas players will not be joining the training camp as they have commitments to their current teams but prominent members like striker Jaycee John who plays in the Belgium First Division will be there for the Saudi games."
Bahrain will host Saudi Arabia at the National Stadium in Riffa on September 5 and then travel to Riyadh for the second leg on September 9.
The winners of the play-off face a final hurdle, playing home and away to Oceania group champions New Zealand for a place in the 2010 World Cup Finals to be staged in South Africa.
